U.S. patent number 7,966,744 [Application Number 11/912,882] was granted by the patent office on 2011-06-28 for food waste treatment apparatus using microwave.
Invention is credited to Soo Dong Kim, Sung Hwa Kim.
United States Patent |
7,966,744 |
Kim , et al. |
June 28, 2011 |
Food waste treatment apparatus using microwave
Abstract
The present invention relates to a food waste treatment
apparatus that can effectively dispose food waste containing a
large amount of water, rapidly dry food waste using microwaves, and
remove odors and vapors generating during the drying process,
thereby discharging clean air. The food waste treatment apparatus
comprises a pulverizer (10) for pulverizing food waste, an endless
track (20) for transferring food waste, a plurality of containers
(30) installed on the upper surface of the endless track (20) for
storing pulverized food waste, and a microwave dryer installed
above the endless track for drying the pulverized food waste by
making microwaves pass through the endless track in a direction
perpendicular to the moving direction of the endless track
(20).
Inventors: |
Kim; Soo Dong (Busan,
KR), Kim; Sung Hwa (Busan, KR) |
Family
ID: |
37245963 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/912,882 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2006 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 24, 2006 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/KR2006/001085 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
October 26, 2007 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2006/115330 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 02, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20080184918 A1 |
Aug 7, 2008 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 28, 2005 [KR] |
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10-2005-0035684 |
Oct 25, 2005 [KR] |
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10-2005-0100834 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
34/259; 34/217;
34/384; 34/265; 34/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B09B
3/00 (20130101); F26B 15/14 (20130101); F26B
1/005 (20130101); F26B 3/347 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F26B
3/34 (20060101); F26B 25/06 (20060101); F26B
19/00 (20060101); F26B 7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;34/259,255,258,262,263,264,265,383,384,386,424,442,616,217,500,207
;219/388,751,753,745,749 ;426/241,242,245 ;99/360,362
;198/370.11,493,701,702 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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08309749 |
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Nov 1996 |
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JP |
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09-255101 |
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Sep 1997 |
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JP |
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10309433 |
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Nov 1998 |
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JP |
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2001-300472 |
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Nov 2001 |
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JP |
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2002096049 |
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Apr 2002 |
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JP |
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2004-066053 |
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Mar 2004 |
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JP |
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1999-0060800 |
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Jul 1999 |
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KR |
|
Other References
PCT International Search Reports, PCT/KR2006/001085. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Rinehart; Kenneth B
Assistant Examiner: Hall; Corey
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Park & Associates IP Law,
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A food waste treatment apparatus using microwaves, comprising: a
pulverizer for pulverizing food waste; a quantitative discharger
disposed at a downstream location of the pulverizer for discharging
the pulverized food waste through a nozzle at regular discharge
rates; a plurality of containers installed on an endless track for
receiving and transferring the pulverized food waste discharged
from the quantitative discharger; a microwave dryer installed above
the endless track for drying the pulverized food waste, the
microwave dryer having a plurality of magnetrons installed in
series along the endless track to radiate microwaves towards the
pulverized food waste contained in the containers; and a
post-treatment unit connected to of the microwave dryer, the
post-treatment unit including a plurality of suction ducts
connected to the microwave dryer to discharge air, vapor, and odor
from the microwave dryer, each suction duct disposed at a
downstream location of its corresponding one of the plurality of
magnetrons, an ozone generator for producing ozone, a mixer for
mixing the air, vapor, and odor taken from the microwave dryer
through the suction ducts with the ozone produced by the ozone
generator to remove the odor, and a plurality of filters for
purifying the air, vapor, and odor before discharging to the
outside.
2. The food waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the microwave dryer comprises: a reflection means for reflecting
the microwaves incident in a horizontal direction into a downward
direction, the reflection means including a first set of fixed
plates arranged in a circle with a first radius and each inclined
at 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction and a second
set of fixed plates arranged in a circle with a second radius,
which is smaller than the first radius, and each inclined at 45
degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, the first and
second sets of fixed plates rotatable together by a motor.
3. The food waste treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the first and second sets of fixed plates of the reflection means
have different sizes whose ratio is 3:2.
4. The food waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the microwave dryer has a housing in a tunnel shape, three
reflection means installed in the housing, and three magnetrons
each coupled to its corresponding reflection means.
5. The food waste treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the housing has respective shielding doors at an entrance side and
an exit side thereof, thereby shielding the microwaves and
preventing the microwaves from leakage.
6. The food waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a rotating brush installed under the endless track for
removing residue attached to an inner surface of the containers.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a U.S. national phase application of
international application PCT/KR2006/001085 filed Mar. 24, 2006
which designated the United States and claims priority of Korean
Patent Applications No. 10-2005-0035684, filed on Apr. 28, 2005,
and No. 10-2005-0100834, filed on Oct. 25, 2005, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a food waste treatment apparatus
for disposing, drying, and recycling food waste as compost, and a
nature-friendly food waste treatment apparatus for drying food
waste using microwaves, capable of enhancing drying efficiency, and
removing odor and vapors generated during the drying process using
ozone and a variety of filters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, food waste treatment is very difficult. That is, it is
difficult to incinerate food waste or to bury the food waste in
landfills because it contains a large amount of water. Further,
standards for food waste treatment are becoming strict.
An example thereof is the regulation on food waste sorting and
discharge. According to this regulation, food waste must be
separated from other waste and discharged using a separate food
waste bag. Even in this case, since the food waste contains a large
amount of water, it easily decomposes in a food waste bag, thereby
causing odor and polluting the surroundings with leachate.
In the ideal food waste discharge state, the food waste contains
almost no moisture. However, it is difficult to completely
dehydrate food waste using recent technologies.
Further, even though food waste contains many valuable contents
worth recycling, the food waste is generally buried as it is
because it is very difficult to treat and separate the valuable
content from the food waste. That is, although the food waste can
be used as feedstuff for animals or as compost after treatment that
includes steps of pulverizing, drying, and mixing the food waste
with other material, the food waste is generally discarded without
being reused.
Accordingly, in order to reuse the food waste from houses and
restaurants, the food waste must be discharged in a dehydrated
state.
In consideration of the above problems, several kinds of food waste
treatment apparatus have been developed.
One example of a conventional food waste dehydration apparatus is
disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-1997-0081044, and
uses microwaves. The food waste dehydration apparatus includes a
dry compartment having a space in which food waste can be stored,
pulverized and dried, a rotating axis installed in the dry
compartment, a mixing blade rotating along with the rotating axis,
and a magnetron for heating food waste in the dry compartment.
However, this apparatus has a disadvantage in that it takes a long
time to dry food waste and it cannot dry food waste
continuously.
A further dehydration apparatus entitled "a coating liquid drying
apparatus using microwaves" is disclosed in a Korean patent
application assigned Application No. 10-2000-0001881.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view and a sectional view illustrating the
structure of the coating liquid drying apparatus using microwaves
according to the conventional art. The apparatus is installed on a
moving path of an object to be coated in coating equipment for
continuously forming coating layers on the surface of an object,
and comprises a box-type housing 3, at least one magnetron 1
installed on the housing 3 for radiating microwaves into the
housing 3, a power supply unit 14 and a controller 15 for driving
and controlling the operation of the magnetron 1 installed outside
the housing 3, a pull-in unit 17 and a pull-out unit 18 installed
inside and outside an entrance of the housing 3 and having a
microwaves shielding film 11 therein, and an air ventilation fan 12
and an air ventilation pipe for exhausting vapors and volatile
solvents from coating liquid when drying the coating liquid.
The coating liquid drying apparatus according to the conventional
art radiates microwaves on the coating liquid like a flashlight, so
that there is a dead zone in which microwaves do not reach the
object to be dried, and thereby it has low drying efficiency.
Accordingly, it is difficult to dry food waste containing a large
amount of water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention has been devised in
consideration of the aforementioned problems and situations, and it
is an object of the present invention to provide a nature-friendly
food waste treatment apparatus using microwaves, capable of
continuously supplying pulverized food waste on an endless track,
capable of eliminating odors, and having enhanced drying
efficiency.
In order to achieve the above objects and advantages, according to
one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a food waste
treatment apparatus using microwaves, comprising a pulverizer for
pulverizing food waste, a quantitative discharger for discharging
the pulverized food waste at regular discharge rates using a pump,
a plurality of containers installed on an endless track for storing
and transferring the pulverized food waste discharged from the
quantitative discharger, a microwave dryer installed above the
container for drying the pulverized food waste in a manner such
that microwaves are created by a magnetron and are reflected in a
direction perpendicular to a horizontal direction which is a moving
direction of the containers, and a post-treatment unit connected to
a side of the microwave dryer for removing odors and vapors.
The microwave dryer may comprise a magnetron for creating
microwaves, and a reflection means for reflecting the microwaves
incident in a horizontal direction to direct the microwaves in a
vertical downward direction, the reflection means having a fixed
plate inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the horizon direction
and rotated by being connected to a step motor.
The reflection means may comprise two reflection means having
different sizes.
The reflection means may comprise two reflection means having
different sizes whose ratio is 3:2.
The microwave dryer may have a tunnel-type housing, three
reflection means installed in the housing, and three magnetrons
corresponding to respective reflection means.
The housing may have respective shielding doors at an entrance side
and an exit side thereof, thereby shielding the microwaves and
preventing the microwaves from leakage.
The post-treatment unit may comprise an ozone generator, for
supplying ozone to the odors and a variety of filters.
The food waste treatment apparatus may further comprise a rotating
brush installed under the endless track for removing residue
sticking to an inner surface of the container.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a food waste treatment apparatus using microwaves,
comprising a pulverizer for pulverizing food waste to a mash form
and discharging in a downward direction, an endless track,
installed under the pulverizer, moving in a continuous manner, and
being made of material through which microwaves pass, for
transferring pulverized food waste, a reflection plate installed in
a space provided by the endless track, in a manner such that the
reflection plate is distanced from the endless track, a microwave
dryer installed above the endless track for radiating microwaves
created by a magnetron in a downward direction, and a
post-treatment unit connected to the microwave dryer for removing
odors and vapors.
The food waste treatment apparatus may further comprise a rotating
feeder disposed between the pulverizer and the endless track for
supplying pulverized food waste on a surface of the endless
track.
The reflection plate may have a plurality of bars arranged in a
length direction and coupled to each other on a surface
thereof.
The microwave dryer may comprise a chamber installed on a surface
of the endless track and connected to the reflection plate, having
an empty space therein, a plurality of magnetrons installed above
the chamber, and a reflection inducing body installed in the
chamber at an upper part of the chamber, and installed between the
magnetrons in a length direction, the reflection inducing body
having a structure in which a thickness thereof becomes smaller in
a downward direction.
The endless track may be coated with silicon.
The pulverizer may comprise a cylindrical casing having an open
upper end and an open lower end, a pulverizing plate coupled to the
lower end of the cylindrical casing, and having a plurality of
depressions arranged in a radial manner on a first portion of an
upper surface thereof, and having a plurality of through holes at a
second portion other than the first portion, and a pulverizing
rotary unit coupled to the pulverizing plate and installed above
the pulverizing plate, and having a plurality of pulverizing
cutters, each protruding from an upper surface thereof and being
defined by a plurality of divisional depressions.
The food waste treatment apparatus may further comprise a screen
mesh disposed on an upper surface of the second portion of the
pulverizing plate.
The pulverizing cutter may have a reverse trapezoid shape in which
a front surface and respective side surfaces are inclined
inward.
The food waste treatment apparatus according to the present
invention has the following advantages.
First, it has enhanced drying efficiency because microwaves is
irradiated on food waste in a direction perpendicular to the food
waste, and can reduce costs by decreasing a cycle time.
Second, it is a nature friendly apparatus and maintains a
comfortable indoor environment by eliminating odors when it dries
food waste.
Third, it can pulverize food waste into a mashed form, and enhance
drying efficiency by reflecting microwaves two times in a chamber
using a reflection-inducing body and a reflection plate, so that
the microwaves head in an upward direction and then a downward
direction in the chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The advantages and features of the present invention may be
understood more readily with reference to the accompanying
drawings, but the present invention should not be construed as
being limited to the accompanying drawings. Further, simple
modification and replacement of elements of the present invention
may be considered as being included in the scope of the present
invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view and a sectional view illustrating a
coating liquid drying apparatus using microwaves according to the
conventional art;
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view illustrating a food waste
treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination of a
microwave dryer and a post-treatment unit of the food waste
treatment apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the food waste treatment
apparatus according to the present invention, in which the
microwaves drying unit and the post-treatment unit are integrated
into a single body;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the detailed inner
structure of the microwaves drying unit;
FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a reflection means;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a food waste treatment
apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the food waste
treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a food waste treatment apparatus using microwaves
according to the present invention will be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is a front view and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram
illustrating the food waste treatment apparatus according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the food waste treatment apparatus
comprises a pulverizer 10, a quantitative discharger 20, a
microwave dryer 40, and a post-treatment unit 50. Food waste is
introduced into the pulverizer 10 through an upper part thereof,
and is pulverized therein by rotating cutters, so that the food
waste is changed into a mashed form.
The mashed food waste is forcedly transferred to the quantitative
discharger 20 by a pump, and is discharged at a predetermined rate
through a nozzle 25. The pulverizer 10 and the quantitative
discharger 20 are selected from the conventional ones, so a
description of their details will be omitted.
Referring to FIG. 2, an endless track 30a is installed, and a
plurality of the containers 30 is arranged in a row on the endless
track 30a. The containers 30 continuously move along with the
endless track 30a, and receive and store the mashed food waste
discharged from the nozzle 25 of the quantitative discharger
20.
The discharging of the mashed food waste is intermittently
performed through the nozzle 25. That is, when one container is
disposed under the center of the nozzle, the food waste is
discharged into the container from the discharger, and the
discharging of the food waste is intercepted while the containers
move. The discharging of the food waste can be controlled according
to the moving speed of the endless track so that the food waste can
be introduced into the containers.
The microwave dryer 40 is installed above the container 30 in a
manner such that microwaves reach the surface of the food waste in
the container 30 moving in a horizontal direction, in a direction
perpendicular to the surface of the food waste, thereby enhancing
drying efficiency. If it is needed, a plurality of microwave dryers
can be installed in order to more highly enhance the drying
efficiency.
FIG. 4 illustrates the microwave dryer and FIG. 5 illustrate the
inside structure of the microwave dryer.
The microwave dryer 40 includes a magnetron 41 for creating
microwaves. The magnetron 41 is a conventional one, so a detailed
description thereof will be omitted.
The microwave dryer 40 further includes a reflection means 42
disposed near the magnetron 41. The reflection means 42 is
connected to a step motor 43 and is rotated by the step motor 43.
The reflection means 42 has a plate 42-2 that is fixed to an edge
of an arm 42-1 and inclined inward at 45 degrees from a horizontal
direction, so that microwaves created by the magnetron 41 and
incident onto the plate 42-2 in a horizontal direction are
reflected from the plate 42-2 and then head in a vertical direction
after being reflected.
FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the reflection means. Referring
to FIG. 6, the reflection means includes three arms 42-1, each
arranged at an angle of 120 degrees. The plates 42-2 are connected
to the respective ends of the arms 42-1.
Referring to FIG. 5, the microwave dryer 40 comprises a plurality
of pieces of the reflection means 42 connected in series in a
vertical direction. According to this embodiment of the present
invention, two reflection means 42 having different sizes are
installed and are connected to the step motor 43. The ratio of
sizes of the two reflection means 42 is preferably 3:2. According
to need, three or more reflection means 42 can be included.
Referring to FIG. 4, the microwaves drying unit 40 has a housing
40a having a long tunnel shape, and has three magnetrons 41. In
this case, three reflection means 42, corresponding to the three
magnetrons 41, are installed in the housing 40a.
The post-treatment unit 50 purifies air by absorbing odors and
vapors generated during the drying process performed by the
microwave dryer 40.
For post-treatment, a suction duct 51 is connected to the microwave
dryer 40, and a suction blower 52 and a mixer 53 are installed. The
suction blower 52 sucks odors and mixes the collected odors with
ozone. For ozone mixing, an ozone generator 54 is included. As the
odors mix with ozone from the ozone generator 54, the odors are
preliminary purified.
The odors purified by the mixer 53 and vapors are transferred to a
variety of filters 55. Examples of the filters 55 include a carbon
filter, a zeolite filter, and a P.P. filter. The numbers and types
of the filters vary according to need. The post-treatment unit 50
preferably further includes a condensation means 56 for condensing
vapors, thereby separating the vapors from air.
The odor is further purified by the filters 55 and the condensation
means 56, so that finally emitted air does not contain hazardous
components.
In the case of the tunnel-shape microwave dryer, as shown in FIG.
4, three suction ducts 51 are connected to the housing 40a to
eliminate odors.
As shown in FIG. 2, the food waste treatment apparatus according to
the present invention, preferably includes one or more rotating
brushes 60 under the endless track 30a. The mashed content in the
container 30 is dehydrated by the microwave dryer 40 and moves
along the endless track 30a, so that the dehydrated food waste is
transferred to a separate food waste collection container.
Respective empty containers continuously move along the endless
track 30a for continuous drying, and are filled with mashed food
waste when they are located under the nozzle.
When emptying the containers, there can be residue attached in the
bottoms of the containers. Accordingly, the rotating brush 60 is
provided to remove the residue from the containers after emptying
the containers. The rotating brush removes the residue by brushing
the bottom of the container.
The operational principles of the food waste treatment apparatus
according to the present invention will be described below.
Food waste is introduced into the pulverizer and is then pulverized
in the pulverizer. The pulverized food waste is discharged to the
containers disposed under the nozzle using the quantitative
discharger and the pump. That is, the containers installed on the
endless track are then sequentially filled with the pulverized food
waste and move along the endless track, thereby sequentially
entering into the microwave dryer. The food waste in the containers
is dried rapidly in the microwave dryer. Since a plurality of
reflection means is arranged in series, it is possible to enhance
the drying efficiency and is possible to continuously dehydrate
food waste using containers moving along the endless track.
After the food waste passes out of the microwave dryer, the
dehydrated food waste is collected in the separate food waste
collection container, and the food waste can be continuously dried
as the containers move and enter the microwave dryer
continuously.
The odors and vapors generated during the drying process using the
microwave dryer are purified by the post-treatment unit and then
are discharged into the air.
Referring to FIG. 7, a food waste treatment apparatus according to
a further embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the food waste treatment
apparatus according to this embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
pulverizer of this apparatus.
The food waste treatment apparatus according to the further
embodiment of the present invention includes a pulverizer 100, an
endless track 200, a reflection plate 300, a microwave dryer 400
and a post-treatment unit (not shown). The pulverizer 100
pulverizes the food waste into a mashed form, and discharges the
mashed food waste.
The pulverizer 100 includes a cylindrical casing 110 having an open
upper end and an open lower end, and a pulverizing plate 120
coupled to the lower end of the cylindrical casing 110. The
pulverizing plate 120 has a disk shape, and has depressions 125
formed on an upper surface thereof in a first zone thereof, and has
a plurality of through holes 127 in a second zone other than the
first zone where the depressions 125 are formed.
As shown in the drawings, the area of the second zone in which the
through holes 127 are formed is about a quarter of the entire area
of the pulverizing plate 120, and the depressions 125 are formed in
the second zone, which occupies three quarters of the entire area
of the pulverizing plate 120.
The depressions 125 can be preferably also formed in the second
zone between the through holes 127.
More preferably, a screen mesh 129 can be installed on the
pulverizing plate 120 in the first zone where the through holes 127
are formed, so that insufficiently pulverized food waste is
prevented from being discharged through the through holes 127.
Further, a pulverizing rotary unit 130 is disposed on the surface
of the pulverizing plate 120 and a shaft is installed in the center
of the pulverizing rotary unit 130 connected to a motor.
The outermost diameter of the pulverizing rotary unit 130 is the
same as a diameter of an imaginary circle formed by an imaginary
line connecting the depressions 125. A plurality of divided
depressions 135 arranged at regular intervals forms protruding
pulverizing cutters 137. In this embodiment, there are six
cutters.
The pulverizing rotary unit 130 is combined with the pulverizing
plate 120 and is distanced from the surface of the pulverizing
plate 120, and pulverizes food waste by rotating the pulverizing
plate 120.
The front surface and respective side surfaces of the pulverizing
cutter 137 incline inward, so that the pulverizing cutter 137 has a
reverse trapezoid shape. Since the front end and respective sides
of the pulverizing cutter 137 are inclined, food waste can more
easily pass between the cutters 137, so that the food waste can be
more thoroughly pulverized.
The food waste pulverized by the pulverizer 100 is discharged
through the through holes 127, and a food waste feeder 150 is
installed under the through holes 127. The feeder 150 is a rotating
body having a plurality of depressions formed at regular intervals.
The food waste is introduced into the depressions, and is then
rotated by the rotating body. The food waste falls down, and is
finally scattered on the surface of the endless track.
The endless track 200 engages with a pulley P so that it can move
endlessly.
The endless track 200 is made of material through which microwaves
can penetrate and which can endure a high temperature of about 800
to 900.degree. C. For example, the endless track 200 is made of a
fabric woven with silicon dioxide fiber, or with glass fiber.
The endless track 200 may be coated with a silicon layer on the
surface thereof. Thanks to the silicon layer, the dried food waste
is more easily pulverized.
The reflection plate 300 is installed in a space provided by the
endless track 200 in a manner such that it is separated from the
endless track 200 and is not in contact with the endless track 200.
The reflection plate 300 may be a metal plate. The distance between
the surface of the reflection plate and the endless track can be
adjusted according to need.
A plurality of bars b is arranged on the surface of the reflection
plate 300 at regular intervals in a length direction, in a manner
such that the bars b are not in contact with the inner surface of
the endless track and cannot be loosened in the vertical
direction.
The microwaves drying unit 400 is installed above the endless track
200 and includes a magnetron that creates microwaves and radiate
the microwaves in the vertical direction.
The microwaves drying unit 400 includes a chamber 410, a magnetron
420, and a reflection-inducing body 430. The chamber 410 is
installed above the endless track 200, is connected to the
reflection plate 300, and has an empty space therein.
The magnetron 420 is installed above the chamber 410, generates
microwaves and radiates them into the chamber 410. The plurality of
reflection-inducing bodies 430 is installed in the chamber 410 at
an upper part thereof between the plurality of magnetrons 420.
Each of the reflection-inducing bodies 430 has a shape in which the
thickness thereof decreases from an upper part to a lower part.
According to this embodiment, the reflection-inducing body 430 is
formed in a stepwise shape, and has a sharp lower end. Thanks to
the above-described structure of the reflection inducing body, the
total surface area of the reflection-inducing body increases,
thereby enhancing the microwave reflection efficiency.
Thanks to variation of thickness of the reflection-inducing body, a
dead zone, which microwaves do not reach, does not exist.
The microwaves created by the magnetron 420 are reflected from the
reflection-inducing bodies 430, head in the downward direction,
pass through the endless track 200, are reflected again from the
surface of the reflection plate 300, and head in an upward
direction, thereby drying the food waste on the endless track with
high drying efficiency.
The odors and vapors produced from the pulverized food waste and
dried by the microwaves are removed by the post-treatment unit (not
shown). The post-treatment unit in the apparatus according to this
embodiment is the same as that in the apparatus according to the
previously described embodiment. The odors and vapors are collected
through a duct connected to the chamber, and a detailed description
thereof will be omitted.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The food waste treatment apparatus according to the present
invention has high drying efficiency, thereby being capable of
being used widely in houses and restaurants. The food waste
treatment apparatus according to the present invention can be used
as a sludge dehydration apparatus.
* * * * *